As the Pittsburgh Steelers move through their preseason fixtures, offensive woes are casting a shadow over their preparations. Over two preseason games, the Steelers' offense has managed only 15 points, proving that achieving offensive rhythm is an ongoing struggle. This issue was underscored by the team's 9-3 loss on Saturday night.
Offensive Inconsistencies and Challenges
With just three out of those 15 points being scored when Justin Fields was on the field, the persistent lack of pass protection hindered any attempt for the quarterback to find his rhythm. Russell Wilson, who played across five series against the Buffalo Bills, was not able to orchestrate a single scoring drive and was sacked three times. The struggles in pass protection were brought into stark relief during these games, suggesting that this is a key area that needs urgent attention.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin articulated the impact of this ongoing issue. "It's somewhat of an incomplete study because you just don't get a chance to see them operate or us operate or us establish rhythm and personality when you're not winning possession downs," Tomlin said. "And we weren't. The first three or so series of the game, it was three and out, and you're not going to get an opportunity to establish rhythm or play the way you'd like as an individual or a collective."
Offensive Line Troubles
Inexperience on the offensive line has been particularly detrimental. Greg Rousseau from the Bills effectively exploited the inexperience of Broderick Jones, who was moved to right tackle for the game, further highlighting vulnerabilities in Pittsburgh's pass protection. Adding to the team's challenges, veteran center/guard Nate Herbig may potentially be out for the season due to a torn rotator, and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is also sidelined with an injury. Justin Fields himself was sacked once during the game, emphasizing the collective struggle of the offensive line.
"We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," Tomlin emphasized. "I was really upfront with the group about it in that regard, that can't be a problem for us. We've got to be better than we were tonight in that area."
Preseason Finale and Future Prospects
The Steelers are now looking ahead to their preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. This game will be crucial for Tomlin as he closely monitors the offensive line performances to make critical decisions about which quarterback will start in Pittsburgh's final preseason game. This final game provides an opportunity for the team to address and rectify the evident weaknesses that have been highlighted over the course of the previous matches.
Despite the setbacks, the preseason games serve as a testing ground, and the insights gained will be instrumental in strategizing for the regular season. Tomlin's focus on the need for better pass protection and offensive rhythm is clear, and the team's ability to adapt and improve will be closely watched in the coming weeks.